U.S. ships enter South China Sea

(MENAFN) Two United States warships have sailed near islands Chine-seized islands in the South China Sea, in a move that is likely to anger Beijing at a time of tense relations between the two countries.

Beijing and Washington are trapped in a trade war and the two sides are trying to forge a deal ahead of a March 1 deadline when U.S. tariffs on USD200 billion worth of Chinese imports are due to increase to 25 percent from 10 percent.

Escalating tensions between both sides have cost both countries billions of dollars and roiled global financial markets.

A U.S. official said the two guided-missile destroyers travelled within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands, in the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing's efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, where Chinese, Japanese and some Southeast Asian navies operate.